Thursday This and That; Throwbacks

These are not my tulips.  I snapped this shot of someone's front yard collection in town yesterday. 

Wish I could raise tulips here without the deer eating them just as the blossoms open. 

Consequently, I have to enjoy the town tulips, and there are lots of pretty tulip shows around town. 

It's my "Mae" basket.  

Hearts filled with seeds were given away at my friend Mae's celebration of life this past weekend. 

Yesterday I found a basket and planted them. 

It will be fun to see what beauty emerges from my Mae basket. 

This IS my asparagus---in April, no less.

I discovered about five spears just above the ground while doing an evening inspection of all things growing last night. 

The radishes I planted about three days ago have also made an appearance. 

It was warm yesterday afternoon and time for a swim over in Elton Anderson's pasture. 

Too bad the pond will probably be dried up when it gets really warm. 

Just a few days and the Initiative for Open Primaries can declare success in its petition drive. 

After that becomes official, we all need to vote it into law in November. 

Once more the amazing people of Idaho have worked hard and have spoken up. 

Read more below. 

https://idahocapitalsun.com/2024/04/24/idaho-open-primary-supporters-make-final-push-before-may-1-deadline/

Want to be inspired?  

Read this story by Daily Bee sports editor Max Oswald about an amazing Sandpoint woman who has dramatically proven that it's never too late to accomplish epic feats in life. 

https://bonnercountydailybee.com/news/2024/apr/24/local-runner-turning-heads-and-breaking-records-at-82/

Thursday Throwbacks:  Always fun to go through my photo library and pick out memories.  

These photos are in honor of you, Jade.  

Happy Birthday. 

I think this was when Willie and Debbie bought their first Subaru. Foster approved. 

The good ol' 4-H days.  A meeting at the home of Ralph Berger on North Kootenai Road. 

Haley, the wedding photographer,  used to be my neighbor and my student.  These days, she's the mother of three. 

I think my mother took this picture.  She used to do all the publicity for the Bonner County Horsemen's Association.  

The group built a rodeo grounds and put on rodeos for a few years back in the 1950s. 

The rodeo grounds was located at the present-day Interstate Concrete site on Baldy Road. 

I'm sure we still have a few locals and ex-pats (Deena) who may recognize most of the rodeo royalty in 1956. 

I always thought the horse above was a truly majestic sight (Arabian and Freisen) when it performed in area Arabian shows. 

Below:  the only time I've ever seen a horse trimmed with no halter.  

My present farrier Steve acted as the "brakes" for my friend Gail Redinger's Mojave while Tim Nichols gave him a trim.  

Mojave, a retired dressage horse, stayed here at the Lovestead once summer. 

Below:  someone please tell John Fuller that I miss our visits.  

Steve's doing a good job with the horses, but old friends are hard to forget. Hope you are enjoying retirement, John. 

Wednesday Blend

Oh, those pesky deer might have stripped most of the periwinkle stems, but they could not hold back the heavenly blossoms. 

The patch, somewhat naked of leaves, is coming alive with dozens of sweet little flowers, and I'm loving it. 

I have a whole new appreciation for the resilience of this creeping flower which provides the perfect eye candy for when the grass turns green.

Spring moves on. 

This morning I told Bill that in a couple of days, I won't even need to carry a flashlight when I take the dogs out for their morning business around 4:45. 

Except for being able to see the sneaky little sharp rocks that lurk along the land waiting for me to step on them wrong and fall on my face, I could have managed without the flashlight this morning. 

Those rocks, though, love to hide in the darkness and await the klutz.  So, I'll take it with me until I feel secure in the dawn's light. 

Along with spring and warmer weather, we know the bugs are coming. 

They arrived in full and hungry force last night. 

I took the dogs out for a stroll around the yard and lasted about five minutes.  Soon, the mosquitoes seemed to be attacking from all angles. 

I'm not fond of trying to enjoy an evening walk and beating away at the bugs in the air, so I came back inside. 

That's the irony of spring.  All things beautiful begin to unfold and the bugs show up to make it not so much fun. 

I've tried riding my horses during these spring evening hours and have given up on that when the horse starts going crazy from all the tiny monsters biting at their tummies and especially around their eyes and ears. 

So, for a few weeks, I'll hold off on warm spring evenings, and drive around taking pictures instead. 

Bill seems immune to the 'squiters.  I've been with him when the air turns into a film of nasty bugs, biting at every opportunity.  While I'm going nuts and trying to find the fast route back to the car, he just takes it all in his stride. 

That's where I think there might be a different level of tolerance between men and women. 

Speaking of women, though, and still able to enjoy morning hours in the woods, I ran across an interesting article this morning. 

It announces a workshop for women interested in various aspects of forestry and forest management, taught by women foresters. 

Women in the Woods Field Day will be held at Pine Street Woods May 10. 

For more information, check out the link. 

It's amazing what phenomenal opportunities Kaniksu Land Trust and Pine Street Woods have provided for outdoor lovers of all kinds. 

https://www.bigcountrynewsconnection.com/idaho/women-in-the-woods-field-day-opportunity-may-10-in-sandpoint/article_0db7462a-01a6-11ef-a1e7-27246de69da9.html

I have noticed recently that our blue spruce, given to us the night before Willie and Debbie's wedding 23 years ago, has taken on the same political philosophy I follow. 

A little purple mixed in with the blue. 

Every once in a while, I still cheer when I hear some brave people admit that they vote for the individual, not the party. 

I've advocated that strategy all my adult life, and I don't think I'm going to Hell as staunch party advocates would have everyone believe. 

It used to be that mortal sins for us Catholics fell in the category of murder and thievery.  

When politicians lump a person's right to independent thinking in regard to political choices in the same category as the the worst possible sin ever, I just scratch my head and wonder who made up that rule. 

Also, when they label people who want to do what's right for the Earth, the animals and for other people as "Wokes," it seems obvious to me that someone's philosophy on life has turned upside down. 

If kindness, consideration, empathy, etc. are "woke," I'll happily wear the badge. 

Just sayin' .

Happy Wednesday. 

Spring and the Bard

 

April . . . hath put a spirit of youth in everything. 

Now tis spring and weeds are shallow-rooted; suffer them now and they'll overgrow the garden.

Daffodils that come before the swallow dares and take the winds of March with beauty.

Oh how this spring of love resembleth, 

The uncertain glory of an April day, 

Which now shows all beauty of the sun, 

And, by and by, a cloud takes all away. 

Spring thoughts by William Shakespeare, born and died on this day. 

1564-1616

It seemed appropriate on his significant days to share the items above. 

After all, I taught Shakespearean plays throughout my career.

I believe that the true way to appreciate AND to understand Shakespeare is to teach it. 

As one whose literary background and understanding has always been average at best, I am thankful for the responsibility of sharing Shakespeare with my students. 

This assignment made me take the time and effort to understand his language and his perspectives on the universe.

In a nutshell, I realized, through all that mental labor, that he had a pretty good grasp on human nature and nature itself. 

Imagine if a Shakespeare were in business nowadays. 

He would need at least a couple of lifetimes to capture all the comedy, tragedy and history that we experience on a daily basis.  

Maybe he could get some assistance from Artificial Intelligence. 

Speaking of which, I think I'm going to have to sign on to teach Artificial Intelligence cuz it's just about as hazy in my mind as those Shakespearean plays were before I did some studying. 

Would someone please explain the gist of Artificial Intelligence to me besides the fact that you can fake it if you use it?

Please don't cheat to make the explanation.  Thank you. 

😏😏😏😏😏😏

Another gorgeous spring day is upon us.  

I thought yesterday was supposed to be one we could put in the "lovely" category, but when I went out and circled the lawn on the riding mower a few times, I nearly froze today. 

Hopefully, today will be warmer. 

That will be good for the garden.  I have planted beans and chard this week, and, so far, the transplanted cabbage and lettuce have survived the frosts.  

One welcome spring development here in the neighborhood is the return of the beehives down the road.  So far, there's not much here at the Lovestead for them to do their work, but it won't be long. 

I'm guessing the horses will be out on pasture by this time next week, and, by that time, we should be seeing some blossoms on fruit trees if the frosts have not played havoc with them. 

Today's agenda includes some more lawn mowing and more painting of fence boards.  

Looking like a pleasant and fun day ahead. 

Happy Tuesday. 

Prepare for mirth for mirth becomes a feast. 

Let's go hand in hand, not one before the another.

All places that the eye of Heaven visits

Are to a wise man ports and happy havens

Teach thy necessity to reason thus;

There is no virtue like necessity.